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The NCC and NSCDC warn that damaging fibre cables during road works is now a crime. Stop the cuts or face trial.

The days of "accidental" fibre-optic cable cuts going unpunished are officially over in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have issued a stern warning to road contractors and developers: stop damaging communication cables or prepare for the courtroom.

According to a statement from the NSCDC’s National Headquarters in Abuja, the government will no longer accept negligence as an excuse. 

These cables are now legally protected as "Critical National Information Infrastructure" under a 2024 Presidential Order.

Fibre cables are the lifeblood of Nigeria’s digital economy. When they are cut, internet services drop, businesses lose money, and even emergency services are disrupted. Because of this, damaging them is now viewed as a threat to national security.

Any individual, construction company, or government contractor found guilty of destroying these assets faces prosecution. 

The authorities are ready to use the Cybercrimes Act of 2015 to ensure offenders pay for the damage caused by unauthorized digging.

To stay out of trouble, the NCC and NSCDC advise all developers and agencies to follow these simple steps:

Verify routes: Check where fibre cables are buried before you start digging.

Collaborate: Talk to the NCC and telecom operators during the planning phase.

Report fast: If an accident happens, report it immediately to allow for quick repairs.

The message is clear: coordinate with the right authorities or face the full weight of the law.